November 14 - We Are Marshall

Today’s movie is a sports drama with a scene that happens on November 14. Watch it tonight and enjoy.

WE ARE MARSHALL 

The Marshall University “Thundering Herd” loses a football game at East Carolina University. Asst. Coach Red Dawson trades places with someone who wants to see his granddaughter’s piano recital and goes by car on a recruiting trip.  On November 14, 1970 the plane carrying the team home crashes killing all on board. [1:55 to 17:52] The school considers dropping football, but student pressure causes the board to change its mind. Many candidates for the coaching job turn them down, but Jake Lengyel calls them and gets the job.  He starts with only three returning players and the president tries to get the NCAA to waive a rule and let them play true freshmen, while Lengyel and Dawson recruit players. The president goes to the NCAA in person and gets the rule waived. The team begins practice and realizes they’re going to have to run the veer, the simplest offense there is. Bobby Bowden at West Virginia lets them use his veer playbooks. The team loses their first game to Morehead State. The president gets fired. The team comes from behind to win their first home game against Xavier. They give the game ball to the president.

This is a story about loss and guilt and perseverance. This is a story about how something good can come out of something bad and help can often be found in the most unexpected places.  It’s also a story about letting go and moving on.  .

Washington Post (Sunday, November 15, 1970) pps. 1, 14 and in the film at 1:51

Director - McG

Running Time - 2 hours 4 minutes

Released - December 22, 2006

Starring -         

Matthew McConaughey as Jack Lengyel

Matthew Fox as William "Red" Dawson

Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Sandy Lengyel

Anthony Mackie as Nate Ruffin

David Strathairn as Donald Dedmon

Ian McShane as Paul Griffen

Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2014.